Clinical Observations on Adolescent Problem Drinkers

Abstract

The drinking experiences, family constellations and personality disturbances of 20 adolescent problem drinkers (17 boys and 3 girls) referred for treatment to an alcoholism clinic in Boston were described. In every case excessive drinking had become an established pattern by the time of the onset of puberty but some had begun much earlier. Much of the drinking was done in groups; in most cases there was no mingling of the sexes. The predominant method of obtaining alcohol was by theft. Usually the drinking occurred away from home. Family life had been marked by gross personal and economic deprivation. Almost all the fathers and some of the mothers were alcoholics. In most cases the father had deserted the family permanently, leaving it in desperate financial straits. The boys tended to be the eldest child, the girls the youngest. In every case the outstanding personality attributes were hostility, depression, impulsiveness and sexual confusion. Self-destructive and homosexual tendencies were apparent in many. Their antisocial behavior had for the majority culminated in detention in schools for delinquents. Three illustrative cases are reported in some detail. Hypotheses are advanced as to why excessive drinking had become one of the primary reflections of the character disorders of these adolescents.